Take a look at where the Milwaukee Bucks stand as they pursue the best record in the Eastern Conference (and the NBA, for that matter). Updated through games of March 20.

The Bucks' magic number to clinch the East: 8

Any combination of Bucks wins or losses by the second-place team (Toronto) that adds up to 8 will seal home-court advantage throughout the 2019 Eastern Conference playoffs. If the Bucks maintain the best record in the NBA, they would also have rights to home court advantage in the NBA Finals.

The biggest storyline from Wednesday

It's no secret: the Bucks are short-handed at a tough time. With Giannis sitting out to rest an ailing ankle, the Bucks fell to lowly Cleveland, 107-102 (although the Cavs have now won three straight at home, all against Eastern Conference playoff teams). Nikola Mirotic and Malcolm Brogdon are out for prolonged periods of time with injury, and Pau Gasol, Sterling Brown and Donte DiVincenzo are also still out. It might not be a gliding sprint to the finish, but the Bucks still control their own destiny.

How have the Bucks fared against potential first-round opponent Miami this year?

Lost 94-87 in Miami on Dec. 22

Won 124-86 in Milwaukee, Jan. 15

Won 113-98 in Miami, March 15

Play again March 22 in Milwaukee

Wednesday's results that mattered

Cleveland 107, Milwaukee 102. Collin Sexton continued an impressive surge in his rookie season, scoring 25 points to help keep the Bucks at bay despite a furious Milwaukee rally in the second half.

Toronto 122, Oklahoma City 114. Paul George continued to make his own case for NBA MVP with a furious finish that brought the Thunder back from a big deficit, and Russell Westbrook's layup tied the game at 110 with 4.8 seconds left. Toronto, however, won in overtime thanks to 31 points from Pascal Siakam, and the Thunder did not score in the extra session until 31 seconds remained.

Philadelphia 118, Boston 115. Jimmy Butler's long jumper with less than 5 seconds left iced the win, and Joel Embiid finished with 37 points and 22 rebounds. It's starting to feel more and more like Milwaukee needs to get that 1 seed to avoid having to play both Toronto and Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference playoffs, because they are joining the Bucks in a clear-cut top three in the East.